Political News – Page 547

New Mexico Democrats Recommend National Labs To Help Rebuild Puerto Rico

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Ben Ray Luján, joined by Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, sent a letter today urging the Administration to utilize programs run by national labs in New Mexico to help with the reconstruction of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure.

The members of the New Mexico delegation are asking the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to leverage the unique expertise and resources at the labs, including Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, to help Puerto Rico rebuild.

“The scale of the devastation in Puerto Rico Read More

DOJ: First Ever Indictments Against Designated Chinese Manufacturers Of Deadly Fentanyl And Other Opiates

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The Justice Department announced today that federal grand juries in the Southern District of Mississippi and the District of North Dakota returned indictments, unsealed Oct. 17, against two Chinese nationals and their North American based traffickers and distributors for separate conspiracies to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues and other opiate substances in the United States.

The Chinese nationals are the first manufacturers and distributors of fentanyl and other opiate substances to be designated

Udall, Commerce Committee Request FCC Oversight Hearing On President’s Threats To Freedom Of Press

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 19, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― This week, U.S. Senators Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, joined fellow Democrats on the committee in calling for a hearing on President Trump’s attacks on the media and his latest threat to interfere with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) television station license renewal proceedings.

In a letter to Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), respectively the chairman and ranking member of the committee, which has jurisdiction over the FCC, the senators wrote, “Since

Two Lead Staff From State Auditor’s Office Win Prestigious Professional Awards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2017

State Auditor Tim Keller

OSA News:

SANTA FE ― Today, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) announced that two of its lead staff won New Mexico Society of Certified Public Accountants (NMSCPA) Pride in the Profession Awards.

Sanjay Bhakta, Deputy State Auditor, won the award for Outstanding Member in Government. Emily Oster, Director of Compliance and Quality Control, won the award for Woman to Watch, Emerging Leader.

“We are honored that two of our office’s lead staff have been recognized for making significant contributions to the accounting

Joint Economic Committee Democrats; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Release ‘Economic State Of Latino Community In America’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2017

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Joint Economic Committee Democrats and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus have released a fact sheet on the “Economic State of the Latino Community in America.”

The fact sheet outlines the latest statistics on the economic well-being of the nation’s Latino community, including population, employment, and earnings statistics, and other key indicators.

Latinos continue to be one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States,

Reps. Lujan Grisham, Davis Introduce Legislation To Provide Stable Funding For Food Banks

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 18, 2017

Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Representatives Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure stable and increased federal funding for emergency food banks that distribute the food to communities throughout the state.

As members of the House Agriculture Committee, Reps. Lujan Grisham and Davis help draft the Farm Bill, which dedicates money for food purchases, along with $100 million a year for food banks to distribute food to communities. But the distribution money is usually

Los Alamos Resident Greg White Files Suit In New Mexico Supreme Court Against County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

Los Alamos resident Greg White at a council meeting. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos resident Greg White has filed a verified petition for a writ of prohibition against the Los Alamos County Council and the Incorporated County of Los Alamos with the New Mexico Supreme Court requesting that the Court exercise jurisdiction. The petition, filed Oct.17, lists Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero as an interested party.

White recently announced that he will be a candidate for sheriff in 2018.

The Read More

Secretary Names Bryan Rice Director Of Bureau Of Indian Affairs

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

DOI News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced the selection of Bryan Rice, a veteran federal administrator and citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, as the new Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the federal agency that coordinates government-to-government relations with 567 federally recognized tribes in the United States.

“Bryan has a wealth of management expertise and experience that will well serve Indian Country as the BIA works to enhance the quality of life, promote economic opportunity, and carry out

Lujan Grisham Announces Staff Promotions

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the promotion of two staff members to serve as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff.

“I am pleased to congratulate my hard-working staff on their promotions,” Grisham said. “I am confident they will continue to be passionate public servants and effective leaders as our team advocates for and serves the people of New Mexico.”

Natalie Armijo has been promoted to Chief of Staff. An Albuquerque native with deep roots in New Mexico, Armijo started

Coalition Of LANL Communities Board Hears From University Of Texas

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

University of Texas consultant Susan Rogers chats with San Ildefonso Pueblo Governor James Mountain at Friday’s Coalition of LANL Communities Board meeting in Espanola. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

A representative of the University of Texas (UT) told the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Board Friday that the university is looking forward to submitting a successful bid to manage and operate Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Susan Rogers, a longtime former UT staff member Read More

Response Filed In IPRA Suit Against County Council

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Court documents filed Oct. 10 on behalf of Patrick Brenner and his mother Lisa Brenner state that there is no “win-win” in a proposal by Los Alamos County Council unless the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) is complied with in a case involving emails in a personal account belonging to County Council Vice Chair Susan O’Leary.

The Brenners had asked the County through its Custodian of Public Records Barb Ricci to release every email by every Councilor from May 15 but O’Leary has maintained that she has a privacy interest and legitimate Read More

Gov. Susana Martinez Announces Appointments To State Boards And Commissions

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 17, 2017

Gov. Susana Martinez/Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Gov. Susana Martinez has announced appointments to the Brain Injury Advisory Council, Children’s Trust Fund Board of Directors, Economic Development Commission, Economic Partnership, Education Commission of the States, Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, Interstate Stream Commission, Livestock Board, Northern New Mexico College Board of Regents, Board of Optometry, Board of Pharmacy, State Parks Advisory Board, State Transportation Commission

Lujan Grisham Statement On Public Opposition To State’s Proposed Science Standards

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2017

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham:

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement today about the strong opposition to Gov. Martinez’s weak science standards for New Mexico’s public schools:

“I hope Gov. Martinez and the Public Education Department are paying close attention to the strong, negative outcry against their proposed new science standards for New Mexico schools. Contrary to the mysterious and disingenuous process used by the PED to draft these standards, some very thoughtful educators, scientists, parents and students have Read More

Council Hears Code Enforcement Program Details

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2017

Los Alamos Resident Helen Milenski updates the County Council on Citizens in Action’s survey regarding the County’s enforcement program. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

Code enforcement continues to be a hotly debated and discussed issue. During the regular County Council meeting Oct. 10, both County staff and members of the public spoke about the issue.

During public comment, Los Alamos resident Helen Milenski updated County Council on a community survey she and other members Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Bill To Standardize Cost Of Climate Pollution

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2017

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, cosponsored legislation led by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) to standardize the metric used by federal agencies to measure the cost of climate pollution.

The Pollution Transparency Act counters a directive from the Trump administration to federal agencies to ignore existing metrics—uprooting years of progress and economic certainty—and an attempt made this week by the Department of Interior

County Council Holds Work Session Tuesday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2017

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the White Rock Fire Station.

The meeting is open to the public.

Agenda:

1. OPENING/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS

A. Briefing to Council by Leslie Geyer, Chair of the Personnel Board.
- Presenters: Leslie Geyer, Chair of the Personnel Board
B. Regional Development Corporation (RDC) To Present An Annual Update Including a Briefing On The General Mission And The REDI Initiative.

Rally For Science Education 8:30 a.m. Today

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2017

Democratic Party of New Mexico News:

PED to Hold Hearing on Proposed Edits to Next Gen Standards that Omit Basic Scientific Principles

SANTA FE – New Mexicans will rally at 8:30 a.m. today in front of the Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar Ave., in Santa Fe ahead of the PED hearing on proposed edits to Next Gen Science Education Standards to demand that the standards be adopted and implemented in their entirety.

This is a community event to stand up for New Mexico kids’ futures. Everyone is welcome to join those attending including parents, former astrophysicist Rabbi Neil Amswych, Read More

Indigenous Leader Appeals To Japanese Prime Minister: Stop Rainforest Destruction For Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 16, 2017

TO News:

SARAWAK / MALAYSIA ― On the anniversary of the first Tokyo Olympics, Matu Tugang, headman of the Indigenous Penan community of Long Jaik from Sarawak, Malaysia, delivered an urgent plea to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to stop Japan’s use of wood from a company that is destroying their forests and their livelihoods.

Japan has been using tropical timber from Sarawak to construct the New National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Evidence gathered at the Stadium construction site

Pearce Bill Supports Veterans Choice Program

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 15, 2017

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce Thursday introduced H.R. 4031, Beneficiary Travel Act of 2017, to bolster the Veterans Choice Program, which provides services to millions of veterans in rural communities across the nation.

“As a veteran, I strongly support cutting government red tape that prevents our nation’s former service members from receiving the quality and timely care they deserve. Our veterans sacrificed so much in defense of our freedoms and liberties, and we must honor our commitments

Heinrich Introduces Legislation To Help Address Crisis Of Missing And Murdered Native American Women

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 14, 2017

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined in introducing legislation led by U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) and cosponsored by Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.) to combat the epidemic of murdered and missing Native women and girls.

Native women are murdered at ten times the national average, and 84 percent of Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime. The bill, Savanna’s Act, is named in honor of Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind,

LOS ALAMOS

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